European low‑carbon building material initiatives in Germany and Austria

A lecture at TU Wien introduced the DIN 18940 standard, which since 2023 provides design and calculation rules for load‑bearing earthen masonry. The norm expands the use of clay‑stone walls up to five stories and addresses moisture effects, offering a carbon‑lean alternative compared with conventional masonry. Researcher Johanna Baier, involved in the standards committee, presented case studies and life‑cycle comparisons.

In Heidenheim, Germany, a pilot plant demonstrates an oxy‑fuel cement process that burns limestone with pure oxygen instead of air. The facility can produce up to 450 tonnes of clinker per day, yielding a nearly pure CO₂ stream that can be captured for reuse or storage. The project is funded by four European cement manufacturers with more than €120 million in investment, and Thyssenkrupp Calvion’s spokesperson Hannah Berse explained that the captured CO₂ could be directed to the beverage industry, fire‑extinguishers, or geological storage under the North Sea.